A lot of us are traveling this week, and as someone who's very sensitive to refined junk foods, I have a tough time eating when I fly. I know I'm not the only one who nearly passes out from hunger because I'm not willing to eat at the myriad fast food joints that have filled our country's airports, or worse, eat the food on the plane itself. Honestly, if my choices are unsavory airline food or starvation, I'd probably starve. The ensuing digestive WWIII just isn't worth it.
These days I plan for my trips. With airport security being what it is, you're limited in what foods you can take through the gate: no hummus, no soup, and no homemade smoothies. I won't go into the politics behind the circus that is the TSA organization (suffice it to say that the terms "paranoid," "obtuse," and "waste of funding" come to mind), but I've learned to work within the system to feed myself healthy things that won't hurt my body or cause me to feel gross for the rest of my trip.
What foods can you take on a plane that won't compromise your health or have the Machiavellian gate guards in hysterics? Here's a list of options:
They key is to reduce your garbage intake by as much as possible without actually passing out on the plane. If you make sure you've got a good amount of non-crap snacks on you, you'll be less tempted by the $8 deep-fried chicken tacos smothered in ranch dressing. Ugh.
If I have to cave and buy something at the airport, I try to make it as healthy as possible. A McDonald's green salad is better than a burger, and an Odwalla smoothie is better than a vanilla shake. And please, for the love of god, do your body a favor and avoid airline meals at all costs.
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Your list of foods looks great. I'd add hard-boiled eggs still in the shell, mixed vegetable salads (with 1-2 oz dressing in a separate container), and hardy fresh fruits such as apples, oranges, and mandarins. Do be aware that you probably won't be able to take any fresh fruits or veggies through customs on an international flight. Last month they took my apples away when I entered Canada.
Oh, and I avoid bread! The recycled air on planes does something bad to the texture of bread.
Stephanie--have we worked together at any point? Your name is so familiar to me. I blog at www.travelswithpain.com.
Not so long ago one of our students was the head chef in charge of the airline food design and preparation of one of the major airlines. This chef grilled our chef, Thanaporn Boonloh B.B.A., chef Lee, for over 8 hours on Thai foods that could be placed and served onboard their flights. Not that it's the answer to poor quality air line foods, of coarse not, as it will likely have the flavor of mass produced foods and likely contain a heaping helping of MSG as well. But it does show that at least one head chef is attempting to improve the food served in flight. Hey Steph have you seen our North American Tour 2011 page? http://www.cookingschoolsintl.com/index_files/CSITour2011.htm
I have to buy a $2 banana at shops before boarding. But I guess that beats the $3 slimjim which makes spam seem gourmet. Am I alone or was flying actually fun 20 years ago?
On planes, I mean.
@Vera, On almost all international flights, you can go on the airline's website and choose your special dietary meal which includes options for gluten-free.